Who are we?
Backyard Svalbard was created in 2019 by a team of passionate skiers fascinated by Arctic landscapes. All our guides are certified guides that have experience in Svalbard and are in constant search of creating the perfect instant for you.
Erlend Kjørsvik
CEO and Guide
Utdanna Arktisk naturguide i Longyearbyen, og har i sertifisering fra Avalanche Safety Terrain 2 fra Canada, i tillegg til Ski&Skred fra Alta. For Erlend er ingen fjellside for bratt, men han elsker når han kan cruise i «Svalbardpudder» i 25-30°. Erlend har jobba på Svalbard i 5 år, og han vet mange skjulte skatter for frikjørere.
Arctic Nature Guide
Languages: Norwegian and English
E-mail: erlend@backyardsvalbard.com
Sigurd Vangberg Vaadal
Topptur og ekspedisjonsguide
Sigurd is shining like the April sun on Svalbard in April. He is educated as an Arctic Nature Guide and has decided to follow his heart to work with what he loves, the great outdoors, making him one of the happiest guides you can meet. He says that "life is best when legs are pointed forward while going down a steep couloir!".
Arctic Nature Guide
Languages: Norwegian and English
Niall Finch
Ski touring guide
Niall is bringing an Irish vibe to Svalbard with his super positive and eager mindset. He is educated as an Arctic Nature Guide and loves to explore our amazing Backyard. Before coming to Svalbard, he skied his way around Canada and lived in New Zeeland for a while. This travelling soul has explored more than many around Spitsbergen since he lives here and this is just a start…
Arctic Nature Guide
Language: English
Jon Hørsdal Buckner
Expedition Guide
With many years of expereince on Svalbard, Jon joins our expedition team in Backyard Svalbard. Jon has good references from the expedition course in Svalbard Folkehøgskole (Folk high school) and from the study Arctic Nature Guide in Longyearbyen. Jon is a happy and peaceful norwegian, and you shall look forward to join a trip with him!
Arctic Nature Guide
Språk: Norsk og Engelsk
Michel Afflerbach
Ski touring and Expedition Guide
Michel is incarnating kindness and attention to his guests to the fullest of its definition. He is educated as an Arctic Nature Guide and fell in love with Svalbard and its nature. With his great knowledge of avalanches, Michel will guide you on ski trips all over the island during the winter season. Along a trip with Michel, you will also discover many amazing photo spots as Michel has an artistic eye and a gift to find the nice viewpoints.
Arctic Nature Guide
Languages: German, Norwegian and English
Raphaël Deirmendjian
Raphael is a solid hiking and skiing guide with lots of experience from Svalbard and the French Alps. Rucksack on his back, he'll welcome you with a smile and show you the safe way up and down any mountain! If Raphaël isn't away guiding, he's probably hanging with ice axes and harness in the caves of Longyearbreen.
SGO Svalbard-guide 2023
Languages: French and English
Jonas Haass
Ski touring and Expedition Guide
Jonas is a seasonal guide that loves to spend part of his winters on Svalbard. He is educated as an Arctic Nature Guide and loves to splitboard Svalbard’s snow. Besides being a very eager ski guide, Jonas loves to take pictures, so do not hesitate to ask him for photo advice during your tour with him.
Arctic Nature Guide
Splitboarder
Languages: German and English
Elida Langstein
Elida is a very adventurous woman demonstrating perfectly that guiding is not just a man’s world. She is educated as an Arctic Nature Guide and has lived for 5 years on Svalbard. She loves new experiences and has among other things being living in Canada as a trapper. Nowadays she shares her time between Svalbard for expeditions and mainland Norway for her studies.
Arctic Nature Guide
Languages: Norwegian and English
Alexander Veie Fiskum
Backoffice and consulting
Alex er full av eventyrlyst, og gjorde i 2021 sin første Svalbard-krysning. I 2022 var han med på krysningen av Oscar II land.
Leader of the board
Languages: Norwegian and English
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